Snakes are revered, feared, fed and worshipped. Naga Panchami, which falls on the Suklapaksha Panchami of the Ashada month, is widely observed across the country and elsewhere. The Mahabharata narrates the sudden curse that fell on King Parikshit due to a snake and the subsequent events, said Dr. Sudha Seshayyan.

Parikshit, Arjuna’s grandson was a just ruler. However, his one indiscretion sealed his fate. Exhausted and thirsty after a long, hot chase while hunting, Parikshit entered the ashram of sage Sameeka and asked for water. However, the sage was in deep meditation (turiya) and did not respond. Angered at this, Parikshit picked up a dead snake with the end of his bow, coiled it around Sameeka’s neck and left. This infuriated Shringi, Sameeka’s son, who cursed Parikshit saying he would die within seven days, after being bitten by the snake Takshaka.

Takshaka had his own reasons for killing Parikshit. When the Pandavas built Indraprasatha, they destroyed the Khandava vana, resulting in the death of countless snakes; Takshaka escaped but his family did not; therefore, he was looking forward to avenging their deaths.

Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, was furious over the death of his father and decided to conduct a sarpa yagna. The mantras forced the snakes to the yagna (fire) and all perished of their own volition. Takshaka sought refuge in the cot of Indra, assuming the mantras would not reach there. However, they resonated everywhere. Fearing the power of the mantras, the devas met Manasa, the queen of the serpents, and sought her intervention. She sent her son Astika to the sarpa yagna, who, posing as a refugee, sought protection for him and his family. Janamejaya had to graciously accede. Astika then discoursed on the need for a balance and for stopping endless feuds, and that day is celebrated as Nadivardhini Panchami.

This is also the period when Vyasampayana narrated the Mahabharata to Janamejaya, hence a reading of the Mahabharata is efficacious on Naga Panchami. Wrestlers also observe this day, to raise the latent kundalini power.